Sunday, 20 June 2010

Hope you are all having a good Sunday. We saw these two in the garden a couple of hours ago

they are Red-legged Partridge (I've just looked it up). Never seen anything like it in the garden before, they were very pretty close up. Please excuse the state of this part of the garden, it is a work in progress!

Just wanted to say thank-you to everyone that commented on my last post, it has been a help, thanks for listening.

Thursday, 17 June 2010

just another 150 or so to go! I think there is a strong possibility that this figure will be revised downwards.

On a completely different note, I'm taking some advice from Rachel, I would like to ask your opinion. When is it acceptable to start putting yourself before your children? Mine have come first for the last 30 years, is it my turn now? I don't want to be selfish but do you think it's ok to think about me for a bit? Any comments gratefully received.

Sunday, 13 June 2010

I forgot, we are supposed to show the aprons we made and received for The Apron Swap.I know I've shown them before but Sarah wanted us all to do it this weekend. So here goes,this is the one I made for my partner Tracey

as you can see I decided on a simple pattern. I did try out some others, a couple of which I couldn't make work so I decided to keep it simple. I've got lots of other colours to use so it shouldn't get boring and they are very easy and don't take long to do, which is just as well as I reckon I need about 160!

she sent me some lovely things, a shopping bag, some handmade note cards,some buttons,an ice skate Christmas tree decoration and some amazing ribbon. One with vegetables on and one with lemons and flowers. Thanks Daisie. Thanks also to Rachel and Emma for organizing it.

Sunday, 6 June 2010

This morning I visited a small Antique and Collectors Fair, it's held every month and I usually go. Today there weren't as many sellers as usual but I did manage to find some good things.I found this lovely hat box

just right for storing my growing collection of sewing things, I also found this collection

I don't think the picture does them justice as they really are very pretty, not sure what I'm going to do with them yet but I'm sure I'll think of something.

And the ice cream, well I actually made my own for the first time. I've had an ice cream maker for ages but never used it, then I read Cheryl's tutorial and thought I really should give it a go.I am so glad I did, it was the nicest ice cream I've had(even if I do say so myself).Here it is, served up in my new Emma Bridgewater bowls.

Thanks Cheryl for the very clear tutorial I shall certainly be making it again.

Friday, 4 June 2010

Today is youngest daughter's birthday, she is 24 (how did she get to be that old that quickly ).As she had a couple of days holiday she decided that she would like to go to Brighton for the day.So of we went yesterday morning.She didn't plan on doing anything cultural, so we didn't go here

the Lanes, I did take some other pictures but they didn't come out very well. All that rushing trying to keep up with S. She spent a few hours wondering about, she bought some clothes and we bought her a bracelet.We had a very nice lunch at Jamie's Italian and then had a walk along the sea front making our way towards the pier

S had doughnuts while we had a stroll along the pier, they didn't last long enough to take a photo of!This is all that remains of the other pier

a very sad sight. Then we headed back towards the car, watching everyone on the beach toasting nicely, it was very hot.

On the way back to the car we passed this shop

I have never seen so many vintage sewing machines in one place, there was another big windowand also two upstairs ones as well.We had a lovely day, it's not often that we get a chance to do something like that together, hope we manage again soon. This evening we are going out for a meal with one of her older sisters, I can't wait as it means I don't have to cook or do the washing up for a change.

Wednesday, 2 June 2010

My swap partner Tracey received her apron a couple of days ago so I can now show you what I made her,

the colour is a bit bleached as I had to use the flash but it gives you an idea. It is reversible, the material on the other side is a very dark blue. The pattern worked quite well although as it was cut on the bias it was a bit fiddly pinning it together while making sure that it wasn't twisted at all.

Tuesday, 1 June 2010

This year I have been trying to teach myself to crochet, it hasn't been going too badly but I have decided I need to tackle something a bit bigger than a cushion. I managed to buy some yarn from a local charity shop which was very reasonably priced at £1.40 for a huge ball.

I saw this picture in an old 70's craft book

I like the contrast of the bright colours against the black border.

So that's the plan, to have a go at making a whole blanket. I'll keep you posted, I've just got to decide what sort of squares to do, although I do like the ones Dawn is using in her blanket if I can only find the pattern.

About Me

Hello. My name is Sue. I am a wife and mother of four grown up children, two still at home. I like to sew and am teaching myself to crochet and knit. I collect vintage books on sewing, cooking and housekeeping. Welcome to my blog.